Very superstitious: Fans’ game-day rituals

Friday

Oct 26, 2007 at 12:01 AMOct 26, 2007 at 4:27 AM

Sidebar to superstition story.

The following are excerpts of e-mails from Patriot Ledger readers – and Red Sox fans – about their game-day superstitions.
Let me tell you about “Pumpkin Power.”
It was going into game four of the ALCS in 2004 when Pumpkin Power became the savior of Boston. My brother, Casey, carved a jack-o’-lantern of the Boston Red Sox’s “B” into the pumpkin he had brought home that day, October 17, 2004, and set it proudly on our front deck. This was intended to rally anyone who passed by our house that night going into Game 4, and also to show we were not ashamed being down three games to none with the Yankees. There was still time for magic.
With the luck of that pumpkin we won game four and then consecutive games 5, 6 and 7 then games 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the World Series!
Which brings us to today. Lo and behold (Casey) brought the power of the pumpkin back for game 5 of this year’s ALCS, then again games 6 and 7. (As of Saturday), the Sox have not lost with one of his pumpkins lit.
– Derek Welch, Weymouth
In 2004, the National Fire Protection Association gave every staff member – about 300 – a pair of red socks to wear as the team played in the World Series. Today the NFPA didn’t want to tempt fate, so (we) gave everyone another pair of red socks to wear while they watch the series.
– Lorraine Carli, vice president of communications for the National Fire Protection Association, Quincy
I live in Daytona Beach, Fla., (and) I was born and raised in Quincy. I moved to Florida two years ago. Every time the Sox are in a game, my best friend Claire (who lives in Rockland) and I get on the phone and sit and watch our favorite team win. It is our way of staying connected – thank goodness for cell phones and nation wide calling.
– Debbie Smith, Daytona Beach, Fla.
My husband Kevin sits exactly in the same spot and wears the same shirt during each series. So tonight, I’m sure he’ll be sitting on our ottoman wearing the same shirt and Red Sox sweat pants he was wearing when they won on Sunday to go to the World Series. We also have to have eat exactly what we did when they won last so tonight we’ll have pizza again!
– Kathy Lally, Weymouth

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